Abstract

Aims

To describe health-related quality of life (HRQL) 2 years after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to assess predictors of HRQL.

Materials and methods

A prospective cohort study of 91 patients, aged 16–55 years, admitted with moderate-to-severe TBI to a trauma referral centre between 2005 and 2007, with follow-up at 1 and 2 years. Mean age was 31.1 (SD = 11.3) years, and 77% were men. Injury severity was evaluated by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), head CT scan (using a modified Marshall Classification), Injury Severity Score (ISS) and post-traumatic amnesia (PTA). The Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Medical Outcomes 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were administered at follow-up visits. The main outcome measures were the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) of the SF-36.